The Creation of the World (2)

"According to the legend of the South, the world was created by seven Gods. The Ryan, Noiren, Luiren, Valrin, Arion, Jariel and Ziran. Norien and Lurien represent the Dark and Light. They created the day and night. Valrin created all the rivers, lakes and oceans. Jariel brought into the world the forests. Ziran rose the mountains, while Arion created the deserts. Then, they interacted and merged their powers, to make volcanoes, snow, thunders and so on", Aldryn did his best to explain the story in the shortest way possible.

"What about the Ryan? Where does he fits in this story? What did he do?" Klyran resorted, truly curious about what the humans knew about his kin.

"I was getting there", the priest laughed, being reminded of the young children who listen to this story for the first time.

"After everything was done and the world was created", Aldryn continued the story, "They say that the Ryan wanted to create something as well. Until that point, he was the architect, so to say, of the world. It was through this vision that it was created. He stood and watched and helped the others, but never once did he make something from nothing. So he thought long and hard about it. Many years passed before it finally came to him. He wanted to create living creatures, different from those already alive. He wanted creatures who had awareness just like the seven of them did. So he created the first humanoid creatures", the priest said and waved his hand at Klyran.

His friend just looked at his hand and nodded. He understood what the oracle wanted to say.

"After he was done, the others also wanted to create similar creatures. Noiren made the Meriens, while Luiren the Nalrits. The two then united their powers and created the Humans. Valrin made the Teyorins, or the people of the sea as they are also called, Arion the Scarens, Jariel the Yakards and finally Ziran the Monias. Those were the first species with awareness to roam the earth. Of course, more were created later on. They say that all of those kins were made in the image of the species that the Ryan created", Aldryn finished the story.

The two of them were walking in the yard, the oracle leading the two of them toward a pair of stairs that led to the Queen's private garden. It was located at the edge of the castle, made on Lunahera's order on one of the roofs. It was the perfect spot to show his friend the view of the whole city. When they reached the small wall that now covered the whole roof, to ensure that nobody fell off, Aldryn sat down and looked at Klyran.

"If what you showed me back then was your true form, then I can see the resemblance" he spoke, wishing to draw out at least a few words from his friend.

"The legend of our world does speak about how the Great Ryan created our world and us. They say that he loved his creations most dearly and expressed it by giving us the only other thing that he truly cared about, his name", Klyran said and jumped on the wall.

He admired the view with awe. He could see the whole city from that spot, his eyesight offering him even more than other could ever see. He saw the people running around in the other circles. Including in the two that he missed, even the market. He saw the way the great river was split into thousands of smaller ones and flowed all over the city. He heard the noise of the waterfall and the bridge that led to the entrance to the city. It was an amazing sight, one that he would never forget.

But at the same time, his heart ached. It longed for his family. How much he desired that they were there with him. That they could see this marvellous world that his kin knew nothing about.

"We have so many stories about the Great Ryan, yet we have none about the other Gods, or this world. It makes me sad", Klyran suddenly said.

"They say that a war broke out among the seven Gods. That the Ryan, in an attempt to save all the living beings, took the original earth and created copies of it. There are two of them that we know about. One is where we live now and another one, just for his kin", Aldryn tried to explain.

"Yet our world is not a copy. It is bare and dull. They say that the Great Ryan grew mad at the first of our kin that he created and left us. That the way our world is, is meant to be a punishment for us. I never understood it, but after seeing this world, it makes me realize just what it truly means. Just what we were deprived of", his tone grew sad and melancholic then.

"In our story he died", the oracle suddenly said, wishing to console is friend.

Those words caused Klyran to turn his head and look at the blonde. It was not something that he ever heard of before. His people always say that their maker left their world, but will one day return. He asked then about the Great Ryan's death.

"The Ryan was considered the strongest among the seven of them. They say that when the war only started, they all fought amongst themselves. A war among Gods, where they stroke their enemies using the raw powers that created the first world. It was chaos. That is when they say that the Ryan created the other worlds, wishing to protect the small creatures. While the other Gods loved their own creations and tried to protect them, they could not shield them completely from the wrath of the others equal in their power. So after all the living things were gone, the fighting resumed in full force", Aldryn continued the story.

"And because he was the strongest he was the first one to go" Klyran assumed, to which the apostle only nodded.

"Why did the war broke out?" the Ryan then asked.

"They said that just like there was once a beginning, there will also be an end. I heard once a story, about how the void would grant those it sees fit with the ability to chose an ending for this universe. That is what all Gods in existence fought about. The end of the world will come, and the one to decide how it will happen will also decide those who survive. Of course it made them all want that position, to ensure their own survival. And so they fought, and displayed their powers to the Void in hopes that they will be chosen", Aldryn shrugged.

At this new information, Klyran fell silent. The end he thought, what could it be?

"How unfair", the Ryan then said and looked at the sky, "To think that there is this fight that will decide our lives, and there is nothing that we can do about it."

"It's just a story, so don't think much about it" Aldryn then laughed at his friend's serious expression.

"What about the other oracles. How come other humans bow to the Gods that did not even created them?" he asked, seeking more of the story behind this world.

"Because humans were the first species to be created not by one God, but by multiple. Every religion has its own story about how humans came to be. The Greenyards, for example, while living peacefully with Zevram, do not believe in our religion. But they believe in Teria. According to their believes, she was the Goddess who created the earth from her own flesh, the trees from her bones, the lakes and rivers from her tears and the oceans from her blood. While the humans and other living things, those she created from her heart. This is, of course, a very short version of their story. But in essence, they believe that we are all connected", the priest explained.

Before Klyran could say anything else, the two of them heard the blonde's name being shouted from behind. They both looked toward the entrance to the garden and saw another man entering it.